Hey Folks,
I've been lurking around here for a couple years and while I don't really want my first post to be yet another "Kentucky Mando 1 vs. Kentucky Mando 2" thread, I've run into a question for which I couldn't find an answer in an existing post.
For a little context, I've been playing guitar and bass of varying styles for almost 20 years now. I bought my first mandolin during lockdown (a Loar LM700-VS) because I wanted to try getting another string instrument to the mix. Unsurprisingly, I've caught the mando bug and have already attended a couple of workshops and bought a second Mandolin (an Eastman MD805/v). The Eastman is a fine instrument and I find it much easier to play than the Loar, but it's not really the feel or sound I'm looking for right now.
I have an opportunity to trade the Eastman toward either a Kentucky KM-1050 or a Kentucky KM-1500. From the videos and posts I've seen about both instruments, I think the sound/tone and the fittings for both of the instruments are going to suit my needs and allow me to grow for a while. However, I'm having difficulty finding information that compares the feel of the neck and fretboard of the two instruments.
I find the flat fingerboard of my Loar very difficult to play compared to the radiused Eastman, so the fact that both Kentucky's have a radiused sounds like a benefit for me. I also like the sound of "taller" frets on the 1050. However, the price of the 1500 isn't that much more of a stretch from the 1050 (at least for the two I'm looking at), so if the better instrument is a good fit for these long, guitar-playing fingers, I wouldn't mind moving to the nicer mandolin as my main driver. Well, at least until I can justify moving up to one of those wide-nut Northfields.
Unfortunately there are no stores here in Germany that carry either instrument so the only way I'll really be able to compare them is to purchase both and return the one that's not a good fit. Before going that (rather expensive) route, I was wondering if folks could help me out with any personal suggestions or expert advice on these two instruments.
I've read quite a few of these kinds of posts already, so I'll also mention that the used mando market in Germany is not particularly big and I've been bit too many times by shipping issues + import fees from the US for looking around the classifieds to be an option for me.
If there's any other info I could provide that would help narrow down the options/suggestions, please let me know.
Thanks!
Bookmarks